The average NFL team has approximately 63 players listed on
their roster on the ESPN page (varying from the Vikings having 55 to the Bills
having 73).Now, this is clearly more
than the NFL limit of 53 players on the active roster, so the numbers in the
rest of this diary won’t be 100% correct, but they are based on what ESPN says.Additionally, there were a few quirks in the
positional listings, such as occasionally having OL listed, instead of OT or
G.In one of the analyses I did, I just
changed all listings of OL to OT (because I was lazy), but in another I looked
up the few players that were different.This could result in some error.

In case anyone wants to toy around with anything I’ve worked
on, I have all of my spreadsheets uploaded here:

http://sharebee.com/7880bf69

WARNING: Wall of text
and data ahead.I thought about breaking
this up into multiple parts, but decided against it.

Other warning, some
of the charts at the end are a bit on the large side and may leak over into the
sidebar.

The Eagles have 5 players from Georgia, and the Chiefs have 5
players from LSU.No other NFL team has
as many players from a single school.

The average NFL team has (listed on their ESPN roster):

Centers: 3.063,
Giants and Jets only have one each, Bills have six

Cornerbacks: 6.875,
Vikings, Cowboys, Dolphins, and Raiders have only five, Packers have ten

Defensive Ends: 5.344,
Ravens only have one, Raiders and Rams have eight

Defensive Tackles: 4.969,
Cowboys only have one, Panthers and Ravens have eight

Fullbacks: 1.313,
a number of teams have zero, a few have three

Guards: 3.188,
Titans, Raiders, and Falcons only have one, Chiefs have six

Linebackers: 8.281,
Broncos only have five, Chargers and Patriots have eleven

Offensive Tackles:
4.906, Chiefs only have two, a bunch of teams have seven

Punters: 1.188,
Most teams only have one, Buccaneers have three

Place Kickers: 1.188,
most teams have one, a few have two

Quarterbacks: 3.25,
Jaguars and Packers only have two, Panthers have five

Running Backs: 4.438,
it’s pretty evenly spread from three to six

Safeties: 4.563,
Chargers and Panthers only have two, Falcons and Texans have seven

Tight Ends: 3.938,
Jaguars and Patriots only have two, Bengals and Colts have seven

Wide Receivers: 6.406,
a few teams have only five, Buccaneers have nine

Ranking the FBS
conferences by the average number of players that end up in the NFL per team*

Conference

AVG #
Players/Team

Total #
of Players

SEC

24.75

297

Big
Ten

22.72727273

250

ACC

22.66666667

272

PAC-10

21

210

Big 12

18.33333333

220

Big
East

15

120

MWC

10.625

85

WAC

7.777777778

70

C-USA

6.583333333

79

MAC

5.230769231

68

Sun-Belt

3.444444444

31

*Note that I did not factor in the service academies, as
there is only one player from the any of them playing in the NFL (Kyle Eckel,
from Navy).I assume that is due to the
5 year requirement of being in their corresponding service after
graduating.As such, I also did not include
the Independents in the chart, as it would have just been Notre Dame.

Ranking the different
conferences by position

Center:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

Big
Ten

1.090909091

12

ACC

1.083333333

13

Big 12

1

12

PAC-10

1

10

SEC

0.916666667

11

C-USA

0.75

9

WAC

0.555555556

5

MAC

0.384615385

5

MWC

0.375

3

Big
East

0.25

2

Sun-Belt

0

0

Cornerback:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

SEC

2.75

33

Big
East

2.625

21

Big
Ten

2.090909091

23

Big 12

2

24

ACC

1.916666667

23

PAC-10

1.7

17

WAC

1.333333333

12

MWC

0.875

7

Sun-Belt

0.777777778

7

C-USA

0.5

6

MAC

0.461538462

6

Defensive End:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

SEC

2.75

33

Big
Ten

1.818181818

20

Big 12

1.75

21

ACC

1.75

21

PAC-10

1.6

16

Big
East

1.25

10

MWC

0.75

6

WAC

0.555555556

5

MAC

0.307692308

4

Sun-Belt

0.111111111

1

C-USA

0

0

Defensive Tackle:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

SEC

2.583333333

31

Big 12

2.25

27

Big
Ten

2.181818182

24

ACC

2.166666667

26

PAC-10

1.5

15

Big
East

0.75

6

MWC

0.5

4

MAC

0.461538462

6

Sun-Belt

0.333333333

3

C-USA

0.25

3

WAC

0.111111111

1

Fullback:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

Big
East

0.75

6

SEC

0.5

6

PAC-10

0.4

4

ACC

0.333333333

4

Big 12

0.25

3

Sun-Belt

0.222222222

2

Big
Ten

0.181818182

2

MWC

0.125

1

WAC

0.111111111

1

C-USA

0.083333333

1

MAC

0.076923077

1

Guard:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

SEC

1.666666667

20

Big
Ten

1.363636364

15

Big 12

1.166666667

14

PAC-10

1

10

Big
East

0.875

7

ACC

0.666666667

8

WAC

0.666666667

6

MWC

0.5

4

C-USA

0.25

3

MAC

0.153846154

2

Sun-Belt

0.111111111

1

Linebacker:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

ACC

3.916666667

47

Big
Ten

3.545454545

39

SEC

3.25

39

PAC-10

2.6

26

Big 12

2.166666667

26

Big
East

2.125

17

MWC

2.125

17

C-USA

0.75

9

WAC

0.444444444

4

Sun-Belt

0.444444444

4

MAC

0.384615385

5

Offensive Tackle:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

ACC

2.166666667

26

Big
Ten

1.818181818

20

SEC

1.75

21

Big 12

1.416666667

17

MWC

1.375

11

PAC-10

1.1

11

Big
East

0.875

7

WAC

0.666666667

6

MAC

0.615384615

8

C-USA

0.583333333

7

Sun-Belt

0.111111111

1

Punter:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

PAC-10

0.4

4

Big
East

0.375

3

Big
Ten

0.363636364

4

Big 12

0.333333333

4

MAC

0.307692308

4

SEC

0.25

3

ACC

0.166666667

2

C-USA

0.166666667

2

WAC

0.111111111

1

MWC

0

0

Sun-Belt

0

0

Place Kicker:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

Big 12

0.583333333

7

ACC

0.5

6

Big
Ten

0.454545455

5

PAC-10

0.4

4

WAC

0.333333333

3

Big
East

0.25

2

SEC

0.166666667

2

C-USA

0.166666667

2

Sun-Belt

0.111111111

1

MAC

0.076923077

1

MWC

0

0

Quarterback:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

PAC-10

1.5

15

Big
Ten

1.181818182

13

Big
East

1

8

SEC

0.916666667

11

C-USA

0.75

9

ACC

0.666666667

8

MWC

0.625

5

Big 12

0.583333333

7

WAC

0.555555556

5

MAC

0.384615385

5

Sun-Belt

0.111111111

1

Running Back:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

Big
Ten

1.818181818

20

SEC

1.75

21

PAC-10

1.7

17

Big 12

1.25

15

ACC

1.166666667

14

Big
East

1

8

MWC

0.875

7

C-USA

0.583333333

7

MAC

0.307692308

4

WAC

0.222222222

2

Sun-Belt

0.111111111

1

Safety:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

PAC-10

2.1

21

SEC

2

24

ACC

1.916666667

23

Big
Ten

1.363636364

15

Big 12

1

12

Big
East

0.75

6

MWC

0.75

6

WAC

0.555555556

5

Sun-Belt

0.555555556

5

C-USA

0.333333333

4

MAC

0.307692308

4

Tight End:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

ACC

1.833333333

22

PAC-10

1.6

16

Big
Ten

1.181818182

13

Big 12

1.166666667

14

SEC

1.083333333

13

Big
East

0.875

7

WAC

0.555555556

5

MWC

0.5

4

C-USA

0.5

6

MAC

0.461538462

6

Sun-Belt

0.111111111

1

Wide Receiver:

Conference

AVG/Team

Total
#

ACC

2.416666667

29

SEC

2.416666667

29

PAC-10

2.3

23

Big
Ten

2.272727273

25

Big 12

1.416666667

17

MWC

1.25

10

Big
East

1.125

9

WAC

1

9

C-USA

0.916666667

11

MAC

0.538461538

7

Sun-Belt

0.333333333

3

Some more data related to individual conferences:

ACC:

Duke has the least players in the NFL of any ACC team, with
only three.

The Falcons, Giants, and Texans have more players from the
ACC than any other team, with 14 each.The Packers have the fewest ACC players, with only three.

Big 12:

Kansas
has the least players in the NFL of any Big 12 team, with only six.

The Buccaneers have more players from the Big 12 than any
other team, with 12. The Dolphins,
Giants, and Raiders have the fewest Big 12 players, with only two each.

Big East:

South Florida has the least
players in the NFL of any Big East team, with only six.

The Colts, Eagles, Jaguars, and Panthers have more players
from the Big East than any other team, with 7 each.The Bears, Browns, Chiefs, Redskins, and
Vikings each only have one Big East player.Big Ten:

Indiana
has the least players in the NFL of any Big Ten team, with nine.

The Jets have more players from the Big Ten than any other
team, with 13.The Eagles have the
fewest Big Ten players, with only one.

C-USA:

Southern Methodist and UAB are tied for the least players in
the NFL of any C-USA team, with only two each.

The Raiders have more players from C-USA than any other team,
with six.The Cowboys, Redskins, and
Seahawks all have no players from C-USA.

MAC:

Buffalo
has the least players in the NFL of any MAC team, with only two.

The Lions have more players from the MAC than any other
team, with five.The Cardinals, Jets,
Redskins, and Seahawks all have no MAC players.

MWC:

Ignoring the Air Force’s zero, UNLV has the least players in
the MWC with three.

The Texans have more players from the MWC than any other
team, with eight.The Broncos, Chiefs,
Falcons, Patriots, and Titans all have zero MWC players.

PAC-10:

Stanford and Washington have the least players in the NFL of
any PAC-10 team, with 13.

The Seahawks have more players from the PAC-10 than any
other team, with 14.The Broncos and
Dolphins have the fewest PAC-10 players, with only three each.

SEC:

Kentucky
has the least players in the NFL of any SEC team, with only seven.

The Chiefs have more players from the SEC than any other
team, with 16.The Giants have the
fewest SEC players, with five.

Sun-Belt:

FAU has zero players in the NFL.

The Falcons, Giants, and Panthers have more players from the
Sun-Belt than any other team, with three each.Thirteen NFL teams have zero Sun-Belt players.

WAC:

New Mexico
State has the least
players in the NFL of any WAC team, with only two.

The Redskins, Packers, and Jaguars have more players from
the WAC than any other team, with five each.The Bengals, Chiefs, Lions, Steelers, and Texans all have no WAC
players.

I also compiled a list of the all of the players in the NFL
from Michigan, Michigan
State, Notre Dame, and Ohio
State:

Michigan

33

Team

15

Offense

3

QB

Tom Brady

Chad Henne

Todd Collins

1

RB

Mike Hart

0

FB

----

4

WR

Braylon Edwards

Steve Breaston

Jason Avant

Mario Manningham

0

TE

----

4

OT

Jake Long

Jeff Backus

Jon Runyan

Jon Jansen

3

G

Steve Hutchinson

David Baas

Jonathan Goodwin

0

C

----

17

Defense

2

DT

Alan Branch

Gabe Watson

2

DE

James Hall

Tim Jamison

7

LB

David Harris

Dhani Jones

Prescott Burgess

Shawn Crable

Larry Foote

LaMarr Woodley

Pierre Woods

5

CB

Charles Woodson

Ty Law

Marlin Jackson

Leon Hall

Morgan Trent

1

S

Jamar Adams

1

Special Teams

1

PK

Jay Feely

0

P

----

Michigan State

24

Team

12

Offense

2

QB

Drew
Stanton

Brian
Hoyer

1

RB

Javon
Ringer

0

FB

----

3

WR

Devin
Thomas

Derrick
Mason

Muhsin
Muhammad

2

TE

Kellen
Davis

Chris
Baker

2

OT

Flozell
Adams

Peter
Clifford

0

G

----

2

C

Kyle Cook

Chris
Morris

11

Defense

5

DT

Ogemdi
Nwagbuo

Clifton Ryan

Brandon
McKinney

Domata
Peko

Kevin
Vickerson

2

DE

Ervin
Baldwin

Robaire
Smith

2

LB

David
Herron

Julian
Peterson

0

CB

----

2

S

Eric
Smith

Renaldo
Hill

1

Special
Teams

0

PK

----

1

P

Brandon
Fields

Notre
Dame

30

Team

16

Offense

1

QB

Brady
Quinn

2

RB

Ryan
Grant

Julius
Jones

0

FB

----

2

WR

Maurice
Stovall

Arnaz
Battle

3

TE

John
Carlson

Anthony
Fasano

John
Owens

4

OT

Mark
LeVoir

Ryan
Harris

Jordan
Black

Mike
Gandy

0

G

----

4

C

John
Sullivan

J.J.
Jansen

Dan
Santucci

Jeff
Faine

12

Defense

2

DT

Trevor
Laws

Derek
Landri

4

DE

Victor
Abiamiri

Justin
Tuck

Bertrand
Berry

Renaldo
Wynn

2

LB

Corey
Mays

Rocky Boiman

1

CB

Mike
Richardson

3

S

Tom
Zbikowski

Chinedum
Ndukwe

David
Bruton

2

Special
Teams

0

PK

----

2

P

Hunter
Smith

Craig
Hentrich

Ohio State

37

Team

15

Offense

1

QB

Troy
Smith

1

RB

Beanie
Wells

0

FB

----

8

WR

Ted Ginn
Jr.

Anthony
Gonzalez

Roy Hall

Santonio
Holmes

Michael
Jenkins

Joey
Galloway

Brian
Hartline

Brian
Robiskie

1

TE

Ben
Hartsock

1

OT

Orlando Pace

1

G

Rob Sims

2

C

Nick
Mangold

Kevin
Houser

22

Defense

1

DT

Ryan
Pickett

3

DE

Jay
Richardson

Will
Smith

Kenny
Peterson

8

LB

Larry
Grant

Vernon Gholston

Bobby
Carpenter

A.J. Hawk

Matt
Wilhelm

Na'il
Diggs

Mike
Vrabel

James
Laurinaitis

7

CB

Ashton
Youboty

Chris
Gamble

Nate
Clements

Antoine
Winfield

Shawn Springs

Donald
Washington

Malcolm
Jenkins

3

S

Donte
Whitner

Will
Allen

Donnie
Nickey

0

Special
Teams

0

PK

----

0

P

----

So there you have it.A whole mess of data about things you may or may not have been curious
about. And to think that I originally only wanted to compile the list of Michigan players in the NFL...

Comment viewing options

After reading this post I am now more than ever mistified as to why Penn State is called Linebacker U. I always said that Miami is more deserving than PSU, and this post backs up that claim. I mean Purdue is listed above them so I am at a loss to where they got that knickname. If it was when Joe Pa started coaching there and it just stuck I guess I can understand that, but I honestly have no idea.

That is what I had figured it to be. I can only think of a few since the 90s that had come out of PSU and been successful so I continually questioned the name. I actually work with a guy who played linebacker at PSU in the 70's and went to 4 big bowl games, which was a remarkable in that time. Played in the pros for a couple years and he now works with a kid half his age.

Well done, that was an interesting read. I think that the B10 acquitted itself quite well.

In regards to this quote:

South Florida has the least players in the NFL of any Big East team, with only six.

I'm sure that that number is partially affected by not only being such a young program but being a young program that only recently joined a BCS conference. I'm sure that this number will increase and USF will average more than some of the lower level Big East teams.

Still, very interesting, I wouldn't be surprised if Brian linked to this from the front page just because it's an interesting comparison.

I don't know what your parameters are for players in the NFL but Maurice Williams played this year in the NFL for the Jaguars but was cut recently and Terrence Taylor is on the Lions practice squad. Cato June also played this year in the NFL though not much. Carson Butler was also on a number of practice squads tho didn't see time on an NFL field this year.